From her ce among the executives, Violet was willing to humble herself just to speak with Victoria-proof enough of how much she valued her. Even Henry,


    who''d apanied Violet, couldn''t help but nce at her a few more times, surprised by the scene.


    He hadn''t expected Quantum Core Technologies'' leadership to be not only so capable but also so striking in appearance.


    Up until now, everyone''s attention had been on Violet. But with Violet''s endorsement, they all began to take a closer look at Victoria-and realized, to their astonishment, that she was even more attractive than Violet.


    "Yes, Ms. Turner," someone chimed in, "Ms. Marchand clearly holds you in high regard. Why don''t you stay and chat a while longer? Our twopanies are partners now, after all-it makes sense to exchange ideas about our best projects. If you have the talent, who knows? Maybe one day Ms. Marchand will assign you to our team at Vertex Dynamics, and we''ll all be colleagues." Though the words were light, almost teasing, Victoria''s expression shifted.


    Assign her to Vertex Dynamics? McNeil had clearly given Violet a great deal of authority—and hadn''t held back on his generosity.


    Victoria knew there were many confidential matters that couldn''t be shared betweenpanies. If Violet could transfer anyone she pleased to Vertex


    Dynamics and McNeil approved, then Henry''sment suggested this wasn''t the first time it had happened.


    Her eyes grew noticeably colder.


    But as a subordinate at Quantum Core, and with Violet as her superior, she couldn''t just show her displeasure outright.


    Thankfully, Curtis arrived at that moment. He walked in and casually took the seat beside Victoria. Violet cast them a nce, her expression tinged with amusement.


    "Ms. Turner, now that Mr. Garcia''s here, don''t be in such a hurry to leave. Join us for the discussion."


    Curtis gave Victoria a puzzled look. "Where are you going?"


    Victoria could only sigh inwardly. Where could she possibly go? It was just that sitting here with Violet made her feel suffocated.


    Ailie always said Victoria was easygoing, that she never lost her temper no matter what drama McNeil and Violet stirred up.


    But the truth was far different. She''d argued with McNeil too many times over Violet-fought, pleaded, exhausted herself time after time. Yet every outburst only drove McNeil further away, and she was left drained, both emotionally and physically.


    In the end, she''d lost her dignity, her sense of self, and her health had suffered from all the stress.


    So, to give herself a chance at a few more years of peace, she''d let go. She walked away from both McNeil and their marriage, stepping out of a war zone she never wanted to be in.


    The atmosphere in the room was growing awkward when someone appeared at the door, tapping gently on the ss. Henry saw that it was McNeil''s assistant.


    He immediately stood and stepped outside. Two minutester, he returned and quietly bent down beside Violet. "Ms. Marchand, Mr. Langford would like to see you. He''s waiting in his office."


    Violet finally rose, her poise unshaken, and addressed the tech team with a graceful smile. "You all enjoy your conversation. I have to step out to meet with Mr. Langford. Ms. Turner, please help me make Mr. Garcia feel at home."


    She added a few more instructions to Henry, who maintained his respectful demeanor as he led Violet out of the office.


    The tech staff exchanged nces, their eyes drifting to Victoria and Curtis. Since Vertex Dynamics and Quantum Core were partners, employees from bothpanies often mingled outside of work, and any gossip always seemed to travel both ways.


    Many of them suspected there was something more between Victoria and Curtis, so they treated her with noticeably more courtesy than before.


    "Tsk, Mr. Langford can''t stand to let Ms. Marchand out of his sight, can he? She''d barely been here ten minutes before he called her away," someone joked, turning to Curtis. "Mr. Garcia, you''re good friends with our boss. How long have Mr. Langford and Ms. Marchand been together, anyway? I heard it started all the way back in elementary school-is that true?"